Tower structure and method of assembling

Abstract

A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. The vertical connection includes an interior vertical friction plate positioned over a seam or gap between adjacent panels and an exterior vertical friction plate positioned over the seam or gap between adjacent panels. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels. The horizontal connection comprises an interior friction plate that covers a seam or gap between the adjacent sections and an exterior friction plate that covers the seam or gap between the adjacent sections.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 978,691, filed on Oct. 9, 2007 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a modular tower and a method of constructing the modular tower.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]Prior attempts in constructing modular towers have used flange connections or load-bearing bolts to hold portions of the tower together, however, the flange connections and the load-bearing bolts suffer from fatigue and may fail. Towers for wind turbines are subjected to near constant forces from the revolution of the turbine, which may break down the flange connections or load-bearing bolt connections. Further, the flange connections on large welded pieces are expensive and difficult to manufacture. The manufacturing tolerances for the flange connections are difficult to satisfy and result in limited commercial availability.[0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels.

[0008]The modular tower and a method of constructing the modular tower described herein provide many advantages. The modular tower may be assembled and maintained from the inside of the tower structure. As such, the technician is protected by the tower structure during assembly and maintenance, thus providing a safer work environment. Further, exterior ladders or other mechanical lift equipment are not required for maintenance. The components of the modular tower are less expensive and less complicated to manufacture and / or procure. The tolerances needed for the components are easier to satisfy. The sizes of the components of the modular tower reduce transportation costs, as standard over-the-road trucks may be used without the need for escorts or special permits. The design of the modular tower provides better fatigue characteristics providing for a more efficient use of steel and other metals. As the fatigue characteristics are improved compared to conventional towers, less steel and metal may be used in the design of the modular towers described herein. The less steel and metal required by the modular tower designs described herein results in a cost savings as compared to conventional towers.

Problems solved by technology

Prior attempts in constructing modular towers have used flange connections or load-bearing bolts to hold portions of the tower together, however, the flange connections and the load-bearing bolts suffer from fatigue and may fail.

Further, the flange connections on large welded pieces are expensive and difficult to manufacture.

The manufacturing tolerances for the flange connections are difficult to satisfy and result in limited commercial availability.

However, such lattice towers suffer from numerous drawbacks, including significant labor cost for installation and maintenance of the tower.

The lattice towers also require an excessive area of space for the base or ground-contacting portion of the lattice tower.

Further, the lattice towers do not provide a closed working space for technicians.

However, such concrete towers weigh too much to be feasible.

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